Bluetooth headsets are popular, and one of the most common ways to talk on the cellphone without using your hands. However, some people may find them uncomfortable to use over long periods. Others may be dissatisfied by the battery life; the small size and weight of a headset compromising the talktime. Still others may want to include more people in the conversation.

Then, for users in the car, there are Bluetooth car kits available which hook up directly to the car stereo. But they require complex wiring and cannot be moved or taken out easily. Yet another option is to buy a car stereo with integrated Bluetooth-but it is again fixed to one specific car only. The ideal solution to all these problems is a Bluetooth speakerphone.

The Parrot Minikit offers a loud speakerphone which can be used in the car or at home/office. It comes with a clip with which it can attach securely to a car's sun visor. The built-in rechargeable battery and simple 3-button operation mean that you can use it even without looking when you get used to it.

Parrot supplies both a wall charger and a car charger for the Minikit, just so that you don't have to resort to using the phone while driving.
Pairing is a straightforward process, with the Minikit supporting both the headset and handsfree profiles on Bluetooth v1.2 (therefore compatibility with all Bluetooth phones is ensured).

Once paired, the call can be answered from the device itself. Up to five phones can be paired simultaneously. As an added advantage, the Minikit also has its own voice tag feature-which works independently of the phone. You can record your own voice tags and have the Minikit dial them, all without even touching your phone. This is especially useful for basic Bluetooth phones that don't have voice dialing. The battery is not user replaceable, so if that's important to you, you might want to consider the Jabra SP500. Overall, the Parrot Minikit is a great buy for its surprising loudness, clarity and 10 hour battery life.